The Goddess of Starlight was not ready.

She had been waiting for this day as long as she could remember, but now that it was finally here, she didn’t know what to do.

Every year, she travelled to the Heavenly Clearing, wondering if her time had come. For the past eighty years, the time was never right, but today, she knew something was different. The trees chattered. The ground didn’t feel as firm. In the distance, the wind whispered. It spoke the oath she had taken eight decades ago when she had ascended to immortality.

With your Godhood you made a pledge: You will watch from the heavens until it is your time. Never too early. Never too late.

The Goddess of Starlight stepped forward. Blades of grass parted before her, and the nighttime darkness retreated wherever she walked.

It was fifteen paces to the pedestal. Each step seemed like it took centuries. She glanced around, scrutinizing the tightly-packed trees at the edge of the clearing to make sure no one was watching. None of the shadows moved. She was alone.

“It is my time,” she whispered, if only to reassure herself.

Her hands trembled. She leaned closer to the pedestal. Resting atop it was a cauldron filled with swirling, misty Arcara—the purified essence of ancient mana that had once shaped the universe. Now, only whispers of it remained in the galaxy.

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In the Lower Domain, duty will guide you. Ascend and claim your true power.

The Goddess of Starlight reached out. She touched the silvery-blue mist in the bowl. It raced away from her hand and scattered against the opposite side of the bowl. Even now, it didn’t obey her as naturally as it did the rest of the Emissaries.

They were Emissaries, Gods to the people of the galaxy, and the Goddess of Starlight was the weakest of the pantheon. That’s what the others always said, at least. This was to be expected. It didn’t stop a pit from forming in her stomach.

She was about to disobey the pantheon.

More whispers slithered through the distant trees, a sigh on the faint wind. The trembling in her hands became shivers.

Your vessel will be weak. You will raise her through the stages of magic. You will forge her into the strongest sword.

The mist in the bowl shimmered. In the reflection, the Goddess of Starlight saw a face. It wasn’t her own. Staring up at her was a young woman, head trimmed in orange hair. Bright blue eyes pierced through the mist and penetrated the Goddess’ soul. This was the vessel.

Your commitment is balance. Your reward…the power of the Mediator.

The Goddess of Starlight stepped forward until the Arcara couldn’t slip away any further, then sunk her hand into the vapour. Energy stirred in her body. Something slipped out of her core and joined the swirling cloud. She tightened her fingers and forced a confident smile onto her face. This was what she had wanted.

An Emissary disobeying the heavens? It was a betrayal of her family. It was unheard of. But her quest was more important. And if she failed—

She refused to think about that. She couldn’t fail.

Everything darkened, and the Goddess of Starlight’s body evaporated. Her errand began.